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Hello and welcome to HotHive Textiles’s all-new Craft Focus newsletter. Each month we will be focusing our attention on a different technique – beginning this month with embroidery and continuing next month with beadwork. A full schedule list for Craft Focus is available here. If you would like to be involved in any of these newsletters then please email textiles@thehothive.com.
The Origins of Embroidery
Early evidence dates the technique of embroidery back to the Ancient Egyptian period, though it is impossible to trace its exact origins. Since then, embroidery has been a popular decorative technique in many cultures, including India and medieval England. The oldest embroidery still in existence dates back to the Middle Ages, when embroidery was used as a sign of wealth and rich traders paid large sums of money for the luxury of embroidered clothing. The best example of embroidery from this period is the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Battle of Hastings and is an impressive 231 foot long. HotHive Textiles published an in-depth analysis of the Bayeux Tapestry earlier in the year, which you can read here.
The first commercial embroidery manufacturing establishment was developed by Jacob Schiess in 1848. He employed fifteen women to stitch exquisite designs by hand. Joshua Heilmann then went on to develop a hand embroidery machine which revolutionised the industry and eventually led to the development of sewing machines in the 1860s. It is from these humble beginnings that the age of computerised embroidery has emerged, allowing us to now explore a wealth of design possibilities using computers and the latest in embroidery technology.
We are now going to look at embroidery in more detail, bringing you inspiration from artists and suppliers, a recommended reading list, a fabulous project for you to try and a great giveaway for all budding embroiderers.
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| Inspiration From Artists |
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HotHive Textiles has been speaking to embroiderer Claire Hurd to find out more information for those of you wanting to take your skills further and make a living from embroidery. Claire’s main piece of advice is to make sure that you have an online presence to ensure the maximum number of people possible can find out about you. She says, “It is essential that designers have some kind of online presence to promote their work. It is a good idea to have an online blog or portfolio to showcase your work and show new development and ideas.”
Claire has used several different platforms for showcasing her own work, including Folksy (www.folksy.com) and HotHive Textiles (www.thetextiledirectory.com). Folksy supports arts and crafts businesses by providing an effective platform from which to sell products. Claire uses her shop (www.folksy.com/shops/ClaireHurdDesign) to sell handmade bags, purses and greetings cards and also uses her HotHive Textiles listing to promote her company and the services she has to offer.
Another great way to promote your work is through entering competitions, as this ensures you will be seen by a wider audience. Claire says, “The great thing about embroidery design is that it can be adapted to many other disciplines. Therefore you can enter competitions not just for embroidered textiles but also for graphics, sculpture, etc.” Claire also sites exhibiting at trade fairs as a good way to promote your products “and get them seen by a wide variety of retailers that could potentially become stockists.”
So, what does Claire think are the main pitfalls for embroiderers to look out for? “The main pitfall for an embroiderer is the expense of reproducing embroidered designs commercially. Wonderfully intricate handmade designs will always be admired for their skill, creativity and the time that has gone in to them and can be sold as individual artworks. However, when it comes to designing for the commercial market it is really important to understand and be able to show how a beautiful design can be reproduced in a cost-effective way without losing any of its charm. This means that an embroiderer will always need to make sure they have a good grasp of different techniques and a certain level of understanding of other specialisms such as print design to combine with their embroideries to make them commercially affordable.”
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| Supplier Information |
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There are many different types of embroidery for you to try – so this is a technique guaranteed to keep you interested for many years to come. One of the most simple forms of embroidery is cross stitch and Kathy Bossom at Crown Needlework, based in Hungerford, (01488 684011) believes this is a great place for the novice embroiderer to begin. She says, “keep it simple; a counted cross stitch kit with large areas of each colour, an embroidery hoop that you can hold comfortably in your hand (it doesn’t have to be big enough to frame the whole picture) and a small pair of scissors sharp enough to cut threads is all you need to get you started.”
Wendy Tong, owner of 21st Century Yarns (www.21stcenturyyarns.com) agrees that the beginners sewing kit is very simple and inexpensive. She adds, “a few pins, sharp ‘embroidery’ needles in different sizes, along with threads in different textures and thicknesses” were her only additions to Kathy’s recommendations.
Both Kathy and Wendy are able to help you with all your embroidery needs and are very happy to give you any extra advice you need – so make sure you give them a call to get all the supplies you need to get you started.
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| Project to Try |
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With Mother’s Day coming up next month, we have a great pattern for you to try here – a greetings card designed by Claire Hurd of Claire Hurd Designs (www.clairehurd.co.uk). This is a great design that is simple to make, but will look very effective and is guaranteed to impress the recipient. To download the card making instructions please click on the link below:
Card making instructions.
For those of you who like this card design but don’t have time to make one yourself then similar cards can be purchased from Claire at www.folksy.com/shops/ClaireHurdDesign
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| Further Information |
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Courses are a great way to find out more about embroidery and to get some help as you learn. Rowandean Embroidery (www.rowandean.com) offers a variety of workshops for the enthusiastic beginner or expert stitcher to expand their skills. Days are usually themed and cost £35, with lunch and all materials included, and take place at their workshops in Derbyshire. Upcoming events include Exotic Flowers on 7 March, where you will create a canvas of colour in fabric and thread. On 25 April there is a great workshop for beginners, which will teach you to design an embroidery from scratch. To book a place on either of these workshops please call Ted on 01332 840049.
For those of you interested in taking your embroidery education even further, The Royal School of Needlework (www.royal-needlework.org.uk) has just announced a new two year foundation degree in hand embroidery – the only course of its kind available in the UK. The course, which starts in September this year, will cover the complete design process, including design conception, creative exploration, contextual studies, visual research, experimentation and development of embroidery techniques and presentation. If you are interested in this course the RSN is holding an open day on Thursday 16 April. To book your place for the open day please call Jessica Aldred on 020 3166 6938 or email her at Jessica.aldred@royal-needlework.org.uk.
A great resource for those of you wanting to find out more about embroidery is the Embroiderers Guild (www.embroiderersguild.com). The Guild was founded in 1906 and now has over 25,000 members and 238 branches across the UK and abroad. The non-profit making organisation provides a comprehensive programme of contemporary exhibitions, workshops, City and Guild courses, lectures and tours. Members of the guild receive a twice yearly newsletter, a bookshop catalogue and can enjoy exclusive access to areas of the website. The site also allows you to find your local branch of the guild, where you will be able to participate in workshops, events and exhibitions in your area. The cost of joining the Embroiderers Guild is £8 for young embroiderers (5-17 years), £14 for members aged 18-24 and £20 for members over 25. Please click here to download an application form.
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| Recommended Reading |
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Start to Embroider by Claire Buckley (£6.99)
This is a great book for both adults and children alike as an introduction to the craft. Embroidery techniques are covered in an easy to follow section that leads into projects which include bags, purses, lucky charms and more!
For more information or to buy this book please click here.
Inspirations Guide to Stitching for Beginners and Beyond (£14.99)
Featuring 23 quick, simple projects with detailed instructions, this book is for anyone who says, "I don't have time to stitch" or "Embroidery is too hard for me". Each of the projects can be created with five or less of the most basic stitches, making them less intimidating for the beginning embroiderer. Many of the projects can be stitched onto everyday items already in the home or wardrobe keeping instructions and construction time to a minimum. Clear instructions, large photographs and detailed diagrams guide the reader every step of the way, taking the mystery out of stitching. The book is also packed with ideas on how to adapt the designs to other projects.
For more information or to buy this book please click here.
The Impatient Embroiderer by Jayne Emerson (£12.99)
This book is perfect for anyone who wants to give their home a dash of individuality without much expense or effort. With twenty great projects including the Daisy Stitch Purse and a Hot Water Bottle Cover, this book is guaranteed to provide inspiration to both the novice and experienced embroiderer.
For more information or to buy this book please click here.
Creative Recycling in Embroidery by Val Holmes (£18.99)
This is a great book for contemporary embroiderers wanting to gain more from their projects. The book is packed with ideas for using many different types of salvaged material, such as fabric, paper, nature's materials including dried flowers and tree bark, plus plastic, wood and metal waste, and precious personal objects such as broken jewellery or special souvenirs.
Our reviewer, Jenny Lewis, was a huge fan of this book, which takes the art of embroidery to new realms. She wrote, “Val’s book is not for the fearful, or the traditionalist, but for the adventurous. If you would enjoy making a bikini from used French postage stamps, or an object using a squashed can rescued from the gutter, this is the book for you.”
For more information or to buy this book please click here.
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| Competition |
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We have an embroidery kit to give away courtesy of 21st Century Yarns (www.21stcenturyyarns.com), containing everything the budding embroiderer will need to experiment with this fascinating craft. The kit contains some felt squares, tie-dyed cotton and cotton scrim, as well as a range of yarns including silk, embroidery thread, wool slub gimp, brushed mohair and textured wool.
For your chance to win simply email your name and address to textiles@thehothive.comwith ‘embroidery’ in the subject line. We will announce the winner next month. Good luck!
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